Help please - non-running car and ECU's

[pbrettle]

Right, now I am getting totally pi55ed off now. I have been without my 94 Chimaera 4.0HC for over 8 (yes that is EIGHT) weeks with a blown ECU. It almost seems that I have been lead a merry dance on this too.

The car was shipped off to a local independant (wont mention the name - and sorry if you are reading this Mr Independant, but this is getting seriously stupid) to be fixed. They have know someone that can take a look at the ECU to see if it is fixable which they duely did. Anyway, long story short they have failed to come up with anything - not even returning the ECU to said Independant (probably disappeared with it!). So, said order a new one from TVR and stuff the cost.

TVR are reportedly saying that they cant get ECUs anymore and Range Rover are also having problems sourcing them too. So, I now have NO running car and it seems that it is getting increasing unlikely that I will EVER get it running again - no timescales, no promises and certainly NO solutions to the current problem.... as you can imagine this is just plain f**king daft.

So, here we go:

1) Can you still get ECU's for Chimaeras?
2) What are the chances that I will ever get my car back?
3) Can I claim some money from someone for not having the car for over 2 months? (I have a small loan on the car and would like to get the money back for this - I will do a SORN and get the car tax back though).

Suggestions and recommendations welcome - I now completely sympathise with all those SP6 engine owners that have sent their cars for re-builds. And there was me thinking that a Chimaera was a good purchase as it would be simple an easy to fix if necessary.....

I am seriously considering NOT being a TVR owner now due to this situation!

Cheers,

Paul

P.S. Comments from a TVR owner that noticed my car at said independant with the line of "is yours the red one?", "the one with the front hanging off?" make me wonder if there is something more sinister going on...... or am I just being paranoid?

[Leadfoot]

Why not try a breakers for a 2nd hand one?

[trefor]

Also try the V8 engine specialist places - if they don't have one they might know of a source (ACTproducts.co.uk, v8engines.com and others).

Theory: Since my ECU has Land Rover stickers all over it, can't you obtain one of those (maybe from a breakers - probably more common crashed than TVRs), then swap the EPROM for a Tornado which is suited to the TVR fuelling requirements. Job done? Or am I being a bit too simplistic. I don't think I am BTW.

T/.

[paulu]

Get a hold of Mark adams he has some spares and also fixes them!

his number:07798582390

[david beer]

I have a spare ECU you could borrow until you can sort one out.
mod-wise.com

[MikeyT]

Paul

Surprised at this particular independent treating you in this way ... I thought all was in order with your car and it was being sorted. Apparently not by your earlier comments.

I think you should maybe get hold of another ECU yourself from sources as already mentioned and then 'negotiate a fitting price' (ie nowt) with said dealer. Then get the car back forthwith.

Better it be in your hands than theirs.

Whatever you do tho', PLEASE don't think about selling the thing! (Unless for that Tamora/Tuscan you've always hankered after!)

[simpo one]

You could complain (or threaten to complain) to his local Trading Standards office. Look in the phone book for the relevant County/City Council. It certainly sounds like incompetence - he could at least hand it back and say 'Sorry mate we can't fix/sort it'.

Monkeys. The world is full of monkeys. Keep toughing it out and you'll get there eventually.

[pbrettle]

Phoned Mark Adams first and he has three spare ones (brand new). I spoke to a couple of other people too and it seems that there is a larger problem looming....

Rover under the guidance of BMW didnt renew contracts for many parts - ECU's being one. Supply of these for the Rover V8 ARE DRYING UP. Therefore expect to see them cease soonish. Ok, dont get me wrong here - this is not a scare mongering exercise. People are working on alternatives and I doubt that there will be a time that we are stuffed - think of all those Rover V8s out in other cars - too much to loose...

Strangely phoned the independant and said that I have a contact that has three available and willing to help (Mark Adams - thanks for being so helpful). Now here is the funny thing - the ECUs in the post and coming in tomorrow (or is it today!?!?). All fixed and ready for fitting into the car - now isnt that suprising...... NOT

I wont hold my breath for it to arrive and will post an update as of tomorrow lunch when I will get a better idea if it has turned up. I suspect that it wont.

Oh, and thanks for the offers - will let you know what happens tomorrow and if I need to take them up... I have a somewhat bitter sweet taste over this - good for all of the help from everyone here - bad for being messed around for so long.....

Cheers,

Paul

[nubbin]

Just think, you'll forget all of this once it's back on the road! And, it's the human beings involved that are at fault, not the car. So take it out on them not your TVR. Keep it, and enjoy it, you know you want to!! Best of luck in getting it sorted.